Mike Procter, the former South African all-rounder, has sadly passed away at the age of 77, according to his family. Procter, who played seven Tests for South Africa before the international cricket ban due to apartheid, was widely regarded as one of the country’s finest players. He later went on to coach the South African national team upon their return to international cricket.
Procter’s wife, Maryna, revealed that he faced complications following surgery. His death has deeply saddened the cricketing world, prompting tributes from former teammates, officials, and fans.
Throughout his career, Procter showcased exceptional talent and resilience, making a lasting impact in the cricketing arena. Despite playing with a knee injury, he delivered outstanding performances both as a bowler and batsman. Procter’s remarkable abilities earned him the nickname ‘Proctershire’ and cemented his reputation as one of the best all-rounders in the sport.
During his tenure as a player, Procter participated in seven Tests, all against Australia, and emerged victorious in six of them. Impressively, he took 41 wickets at an average of a mere 15.02. Sadly, his international career was cut short due to South Africa’s cricketing isolation amidst the apartheid era.
Procter’s tenure with Gloucestershire, a county cricket club in England, spanned 14 seasons from 1965 to 1988. He left an indelible mark on the club, winning numerous accolades, including the Gillette Cup and Benson and Hedges Cup. In fact, Procter captained Gloucestershire to victory in the latter. His exceptional contribution to the team led to him being voted as the club’s greatest overseas player in 2020.
Following his retirement from international and domestic cricket, Procter assumed the role of coach for the South African national team from 1991 to 1994. Under his guidance, the Proteas made significant strides, reaching the semi-finals of the 1992 World Cup.
Procter’s involvement in cricket extended beyond coaching. He became an esteemed International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee. However, his career as a referee was not without controversy. In 2006, he took the unprecedented decision to forfeit the Oval Test between England and Pakistan due to ball-tampering accusations by the umpires.
Furthermore, Procter issued a three-match ban to India’s Harbhajan Singh in 2008 following allegations of racial abuse towards Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds. However, the ban was lifted soon after when the charges were downgraded to the use of abusive language.
Procter’s passing marks the end of an era in South African cricket. His unwavering dedication and exceptional skills have left an indelible legacy, inspiring cricketers across generations. The Gloucestershire club has lowered their flag to half-mast in tribute to this legendary figure.
The cricketing fraternity mourns the loss of a true icon, as Mike Procter’s contributions to the sport will never be forgotten. As South Africa fondly remembers his illustrious career, his presence and impact will continue to be felt on the cricket pitch.